The industrial action, coming at the beginning of the peak holiday season, is set to cause travel disruption for thousands of people.

Impact assistant general secretary Michael Landers said the invitation to talks from Aer Lingus came too late.

"What we don't want to do is to get into a position where we call off the strike for talks, then we go into the talks and Aer Lingus simply restate the same positions that they've been putting forward to us for the last three years," he said.

"That's not actually going to get us anywhere and that will lead to a further resumption of industrial action, were that to happen.

"So what we need is actual delivery of real measures that will alleviate the problems our members have with the rosters."